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Meet our All Start Pitching Showdown Judges

Wednesday, August 02, 2017

We're excited to once again bring together an All Star judging panel for the 2017 Upstart Pitching Showdown. Our judges have an enormous depth and breadth of experience in the entrepreneurial and startup community as investors, mentors and successful business people. Returning to our lineup are seasoned Upstart judges Nick Stanley, Serial Entrepreneur and Maurice Grasso, Angel Investor. This year, we're delighted to welcome Georgia Beattie, CEO, Startup Victoria to the panel.

NICK STANLEY, MD ASIA PACIFIC, TRIBAL GROUP, FOUNDER, INVESTOR

Nick describes himself as a startup addict. One look at the long list of companies he's involved with as an investor, board member and executive confirms that's exactly what he is. Simply put, Nick loves startups; leading them, investing in them, growing them, and helping others to achieve startup success in whatever way he can. Nick has a background in successful software commercialisation and entrepreneurship, having founded three businesses (selling two of them) prior to his current projects. He's passionate about the startup community, particularly in establishing the Geelong region as a startup destination.

MAURICE GRASSO, MEMBERSHIP CHAIR, MELBOURNE ANGELS

Maurice is an experienced business angel investor, problem solver and enabler. A chartered accountant by background, Maurice has a wealth of experience in acquisitions and divestments and the due diligence associated with these. Maurice has been involved in 6 acquisitions and 2 divestments, a Management Buy Out, and a family business refinancing of $ 30m and private equity placement. Maurice is always looking for opportunities to make a difference and add value to companies.

GEORGIA BEATTIE, CEO, STARTUP VICTORIA

Georgia is intimately familiar with the business of young entrepreneurship. Shortly after completing university she raised seed capital to found Lupé Wines, which specialises in supplying events, airlines and hotel minibars with the world's first single serve glass of wine designed for ease of use. Lupé was listed as top 10 startups to watch by BRW and Georgia was listed as Top 50 Entrepreneurs to watch in 2015. In 2016 the company was successfully sold. Georgia took on the CEO role at Startup Victoria in 2016. Startup Victoria is the go-to independent startup body for Victoria that focuses on creating more founders and better founders.